Coker to Induct '94 Women’s Soccer Team and Al Oswald Jr. to Hall of Fame

Aug 19, 2013

HARTSVILLE, S.C. – Coker College will induct the 1994
women’s soccer team and Al Oswald Jr. into the Coker College
Athletics Hall of Fame this fall.

In a unanimous decision by the Coker Hall of Fame selection
committee, the 1994 women's soccer team will become the fourth full
team inducted into the hall of fame, while Oswald, a former Coker
parent and a longtime supporter of the college, becomes the first
non-Coker affiliated member to be inducted.

The induction will take place during Coker’s 2013
homecoming weekend. A ceremony is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday,
Oct. 5 in Watson Theater, with the presentation given by vice
president of athletics and facilities Lynn Griffin and president
Robert Wyatt.

“We are excited to induct the ’94 women’s
soccer team and Al Oswald into our hall of fame,” Griffin
said. “Both the team and Mr. Oswald represent a great piece
of Coker history, and we look forward to everyone joining us for
the ceremony.”

Led by head coach Tim Griggs, the 1994 women’s soccer team
compiled a 15-1-1 record. The Cobras finished No. 4 in the NAIA
final rankings, and were ranked in the NAIA top 20 every week of
the regular season. They won the Conference Carolinas
regular-season championship for the second consecutive season,
recording a 6-0 record in league play. During the season Coker had
a 14-match winning streak, outscored opponents 61-12, posted 11
shutouts and won both the St. Andrews Presbyterian College
Tournament and the Tennessee Wesleyan College Tournament.

“This is a great honor for the 1994 team,” Griggs
said. “That squad was an outstanding set of student-athletes,
and I’m very happy for them. They were a special group and
are very deserving of this place in Coker history.”

Five Cobras were named all-conference players: Crystal McCamis,
Jamie Condon, Liz Gray, Kristi McHale and Stephanie Sorrells. Gray,
McCamis, Condon and McHale were NAIA Mid-South All-Region
selections. In addition, McCamis was named an All-American and the
conference player of the year. Griggs was the conference’s
coach of the year.

In addition to coaching the women’s team, Griggs also
coached the men’s soccer team and served as athletic director
at Coker from 1994 to 2010. He coached the men from 1980-1994 and
the women from 1988-1998. Griggs retired from the college in
2010.

Al Oswald Jr. has been a longtime supporter of Coker and is a
main driver for keeping alumni and parents from the 1990s connected
with and supporting Coker College. He began the Coker College
Baseball Golf Tournament and Fundraiser, which is held each year at
the Charleston Municipal Golf Course in Charleston, S.C. It has
been an annual event since 1994 and attracts over 130 participants
each year. All proceeds of the event are donated to the Coker
baseball program.

Oswald’s son, Allie, is a 1996 graduate of Coker. During
his time at Coker, Allie played baseball under Dave Schmotzer and
was a member of the first baseball team at Coker, which began in
1993. He also played on the 1994 team that made it to the NAIA
World Series.

“I am surprised but very appreciative of the
recognition,” Al Oswald said. “They’ve treated us
well ever since Allie was in school there. We are still proud to be
part of the Coker family and are looking forward to this
ceremony.”

Oswald Jr. recently retired after 39 years working at South
Carolina Electric & Gas. He is a resident of James Island,
S.C., where he lives with his wife, Sheron. They have two children,
Allie and Melissa.

The other full teams inducted into the Hall of Fame are the
1987-88 men’s basketball team, inducted in 2012; 1998
softball team (2011); and 1994 baseball team (2010).

Coker College readies undergraduates for personal and
professional success through a distinctive four-year program that
emphasizes a practical application of the liberal arts as well as
hands-on and discussion-based learning within and beyond the
classroom. Coker is ranked among the “Best Colleges” in
the South by U.S. News & World Report as well as
The Princeton Review. Located in Hartsville, S.C., Coker
is within two hours of the cultural, financial and recreational
resources of Charlotte, Columbia, Charleston and Myrtle Beach.